Westmoreland Symphony Presents Opening Night: American Mosaic

Greensburg, PA – The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra presents its 56th Season Opening Night on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. “I warmly welcome the community to help us kick off our 56^th Season and make the evening more special by giving to our neighbors in need by donating a non-perishable food item to the Westmoreland Food Bank,” said Michael Rozell, Executive Director.

The concert opens with selections from Leonard Bernstein’s iconic West Side Story and the concert concludes with contemporary composer Nkeiru Okoye’s Voices Shouting Out, a moving musical response to 9/11, and Howard Hanson’s Symphony No 2. “We begin this season with an All-American program to show how rich and diverse our music really can be, all of the composers on the program have a special voice and a distinct view of how to best represent what it means to be an American artist,” said Daniel Meyer, Artistic Director.

The centerpiece of the concert is Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto featuring Michael Rusinek, principal clarinet of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. “This is Michael’s debut with the WSO, and it was important for me to find a piece that best fits his fantastic musicianship and technical virtuosity,” said Meyer.

Michael Rusinek joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as the principal clarinet in 1998. In addition to his position with the Pittsburgh Symphony, he has performed as principal clarinet with the orchestras of Philadelphia, St. Louis, The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and The National Arts Center in Ottawa, Canada. Dedicated to teaching, Michael Rusinek is a member of the faculties of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and the Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado.

Masterclass Update

**The WSO Academy of Music’s masterclass with Michael Rusinek at the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center auditorium on Friday, October 25, 2024 has been cancelled. Students were notified via email.

Westmoreland Food Bank Drive

The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra is hosting a Food Drive Opening Night to help those in need in our community. Non-perishable items can be dropped off in the lobby prior to the concert.  The Westmoreland Food Bank’s most needed items include canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, cereal (preferably whole grain), canned fruit and vegetables, macaroni and cheese, boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, etc), and canned meals (stew, ravioli, etc). Learn More

Opening Night

October 26, 2024 – 7:30 p.m.
The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, 21 W. Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA 15601

PROGRAM

Bernstein: West Side Story: Selections
Copland: Clarinet Concerto
  Michael Rusinek, clarinet
Nkeiru Okoye: Voices Shouting Out
Hanson: Symphony No.2, ‘Romantic’

Ticket prices for the concert range from $20+ and may be purchased at the door or may be reserved by calling the WSO Office at 724-837-1850 or online. Student Rush tickets are $10 the night of the show.